The sincerity in Segreti’s voice had Ezra’s heart skipping a beat. He didn’t know what to do with such sweet words. No one had ever sought out his company for the sheer pleasure of it.
“Thank you,” Ezra replied softly. “Lately, my thoughts seem to be occupied mostly with you and my desire to be in your company. At first I believed myself afflicted by an ailment, but after discussing the matter with my prince, I concluded that was not the case.” They reached the cottage, and Ezra held the door open for Segreti before following him inside. “You can place them over there in that corner,” Ezra said, pointing to the small nook where he tended to prepare his pots. He placed the box of herbs on a small wooden table before washing his hands. Segreti followed his lead, thanking him for the hand towel before he turned to face Ezra, who couldn’t understand why Segreti’s closeness made his pulse soar. “Thank you for your assistance.”
“It’s my pleasure.” Segreti’s voice was a low, rough rumble that sent a shiver through Ezra. He remained still as Segreti placed his fingers beneath Ezra’s chin, lifting his face so their eyes could meet. “What did you conclude, then?”
“Oh, well, I concluded that perhaps I… that I have certain feelings for you. Feelings I’ve never experienced before.”
Segreti studied him. “Perhaps?”
Ezra huffed, and Segreti smiled. “Not perhaps.” He met Segreti’s gaze. “His Highness believes there’s an emotional connection between us, one beyond acquaintance. I can’t deny your presence stirs certain… reactions in me.”
Segreti swallowed hard. “Oh. You… um, find me…”
“Arousing,” Ezra stated, matter-of-fact.
“I had convinced myself I’d imagined the way you shivered at my touch. That the change in your scent had been nothing but a trick of my fanciful thoughts.”
“Why would you think that?” Was it possible Segreti possessed insecurities similar to Ezra’s where mates were concerned? How was that possible? Segreti was an Orso with worldly experience. Why would he feel reservation in expressing his interest?
Segreti slipped one leg between Ezra’s as he cupped Ezra’s cheek, a low moan escaping Ezra. He was mortified to discover how quickly his body reacted. His shaft swelled and grew hard against Segreti’s leg.
“Look at you. You’re beautiful and soft, so very astute and powerful. What would you want with an Orso like me?”
“Segreti…” A whimpered name was all he could summon. His heart pounded fiercely, and his trousers grew painfully tight as Segreti slipped an arm around his waist. The scent of grass, sweat, and a heavenly male musk filled Ezra’s nostrils, causing his head to spin with desire. The object of said desire shifted his leg between Ezra’s and brought their bodies together, drawing a gasp from his lips. If Segreti had not felt how hard Ezra had been before, he certainly could now he was riding the man’s thigh. Segreti made no effort to hide his own erection, and it made Ezra’s body shudder.
“May I kiss you?”
Ezra swallowed hard, the very idea of it conjuring all manner of naughty images in his mind. His face flushed and his stomach tightened. He couldn’t bring himself to speak, so he nodded instead. With a tender smile, Segreti pressed his lips to Ezra’s.
Heat the likes of which he’d never felt flared through him, flooding to his groin. His breath quickened. What was happening to him? Heaven of heavens, ambrosia couldn’t have tasted better. Segreti’s mouth was all consuming, his tongue demanding entrance. Ezra raised the white flag and surrendered to his mercy without struggle, his lips eagerly parting.
Segreti’s tongue and lips raged war against Ezra’s, plundering and seizing. He tore his mouth away only to move on to Ezra’s neck, sending a tempestuous fire exploding through Ezra. He groaned, needing to feel more, desperate to feel bare skin beneath his hands, desperate to know if Segreti felt as he did. Segreti kissed, nipped, and licked at Ezra’s skin, and Ezra lolled his head to the side to expose more of his flesh to him. His own lips were swollen, but the strain in his trousers was far more painful, and he longed for release, prayed for it. Until now, he’d never felt the joy of release at the hands of another.
“Soon, my sweetness,” Segreti said knowingly, his voice sounding breathless, as if he were barely restrained. He unfastened the belt around Ezra’s tunic with one hand while his free hand gripped Ezra’s backside, rocking him hard against his leg.
“Oh dear Goddess. Please.” Ezra clutched Segreti’s broad shoulders, and he cried out as Segreti crushed him back into a table, pinning him so he felt Segreti’s engorged shaft hard against him. Ezra grabbed a fistful of Segreti’s hair, his other hand joining Segreti’s on his trousers as he pushed them down. Cool air caressed his skin, but Ezra paid no attention to his seminaked state. He was too busy tugging at Segreti’s belt. It fell to the floor with a loud thunk.
Segreti spit into his hand before palming their shafts and stroking them both with a fervor Ezra felt to his very soul. What was it about Segreti that drove him to such madness? His thoughts were muddled, filled only with the overwhelming need to feel Segreti’s touch. He could do nothing but allow Segreti to take what he desired in exchange for the roaring ardor he’d unleashed inside Ezra, an ardor he’d never known he possessed.
“Not Goddess,” Segreti murmured in Ezra’s ear. “But if you allow it, I will show you the sinful pleasures you inspire in me.”
“Yes!” Ezra threw his arms around Segreti’s neck and kissed him as if doing so would give him the answers to every question he’d ever had. Ezra thrust his hips shamelessly, the rough friction tearing at any resolve he might have had left. A storm of pleasure rolled through him, and he tore his mouth away from Segreti, roaring as his release erupted from him, the cottage flaring with the white light of Ezra’s soul and drowning out Segreti’s own thunderous roar.
The light faded, and soon the only sound was that of their panting breaths. Ezra leaned his head against Segreti’s chest and closed his eyes. He nuzzled close, his body limp as if drained of all his power, and in a sense he was.
“Are you all right?” Segreti asked quietly, one big hand at the back of Ezra’s head.
Ezra hummed. “Merely blissfully tired.”
“Here.”
Before Ezra could figure out what Segreti was doing, he had Ezra in his arms. Normally Ezra would have argued he was perfectly capable of walking, but in this instance, he didn’t mind. Being cradled in Segreti’s strong arms was too wonderful to pass up. Segreti placed him carefully on the love seat, and Ezra set his clothes to rights while Segreti fixed his own clothing, their belts still on the floor somewhere by the table. Ezra’s eyes threatened to close, but he forced them open at the sound of water running. A heartbeat later it stopped and Segreti sat beside him. For the first time since he could remember, Ezra didn’t question his thoughts, simply gave in to his urge. He curled up against Segreti, smiling when Segreti wrapped an arm around him and held him close.
A sigh of contentment escaped Ezra as he allowed his body to sink into the cushions and the strong body against him. He’d never sought physical comfort from anyone, therefore had no notion of whether he’d enjoy it. Although he couldn’t speak of what that comfort might look like with someone else, with Segreti, Ezra was blissfully satisfied. He was also pleasantly surprised by Segreti’s tenderness as he stroked Ezra’s arm or his hair, nuzzled the top of his head.